The Measure of Gold by Sarah C Patten (audiobook ARC) 1/12-1/17 2022

Overall Rating = ⭐⭐⭐
Characters = 5/10
Setting/Atmosphere = 5/10
Style/Structure = 6/10
Plot = 4/10
Themes = 5/10
Purpose/Focus = 4/10
Internal Response = 4/10
Enjoyment/Satisfaction = 4/10
Recommend to Others = 4/10
Narration = 3/10


Thank you to Books Forward Audiobooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audioARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions shared are my own.

The Measure of Gold was a combination of historical fiction (WWII), espionage, love, and magical realism. I was looking forward to listening to it as books set during World War II is a time in history that I have a never-ending interest in. Unfortunately, the historical fiction and espionage aspects were moved to the back burner and the story focused more on the romance and magical/alchemy aspects. While the magical realism parts were interesting at times, they often felt random and forced which caused the story to become disjointed. Furthermore, there were gaps in time on numerous occasions and the ending was rather abrupt which left me unsatisfied.

The language that Sarah used was interesting and helped the story to flow well in places and allowed me to visualize some of the settings.

The narration was ok. The voice for Penelope was a little strange. It sounded semi-robotic and muffled.

Overall, it was a mixed bag for me. I was immersed in parts and confused or lost in others. If you enjoy magical realism mixed into stories where it doesn’t always jive then this book may be for you. Unfortunately, I prefer to learn more of the historical information when reading historical fiction.

I enjoyed the angle this audiobook takes, and the technical talk brought out my inner nerd.
I felt the story was a little slow though and although I like the characters, I couldn't relate to them.


I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really wanted to like this one as the description was so engaging. However I found myself struggling to get into the book. I am not sure if it was because it was an audio book and the narrator effected that or it was someginh else. But what I do know is there was so much scientific talk, alchemy, and ideas around the use of gold, that it lost me in where the story was going.
I wasn’t able to finish it as I couldn’t keep engaged with it.

I received the audiobook via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t know if it was the pacing or the science analogies or the characters themselves, but this book just wasn’t for me.

The story was well written. And the language was poetic. I think someone who enjoys learning about science and history with their fiction would really enjoy this book.

I think it is a confusing and powerful book. It is about Penelope who leaves the US to go to France during WWII after she received a letter from her childhood friend Naomie. Beside the point that I am thinking too much into it it is very powerful to get pulled into a world of trust, pain, war, hope and love. I listened to the audiobook and I was engaged to the story. I enjoyed the story, especially the spin with bringing in Alchemy into a WWII story. Something completely new to me which I usually expect from fantasy books. Interesting combination.

3.5 Stars
The French Resistance during World War II meets The Alchemist meets magical realism tied in with romance and adventure.
After Penelope’s father passed away, she received a letter from an old friend, Naomi, to bring a necklace to France. I still don’t understand why Penelope does this as it is during WWII. It doesn’t seem like the smartest decision. But she does, and we have our story. Penelope befriends Naomi’s friends as they do experiments, and she soon falls for one of them. There was a little too much on the mathematics, research and science behind everything that happens and for my taste. It would have been nice to have a little more action in the first half of the book. So much of the story was in Penelope’s head while she debated her love, and the science and questioned what Newton would do or say. The first part of the book was slow, but it did pick up in the second half. The writing itself is very lyrical and beautiful. Also, I don’t think she would have lasted long in the French Resistance, but it was a story, and a good one to read. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job. It was easy to listen to and follow along.

Excellent narration by Elizabeth Cottle made this audio book all the more enjoyable. Penelope naively travels to Paris from Tennessee to meet her friend in Nazi occupied Paris. She soon becomes involved in a group who are attempting, through science, to fight the Nazis. There is a focus on alchemy which give the story a magical feel. Well researched and beautifully written, this story is wrapped in alchemy, bravery, espionage and romance. Thank you to Sarah C. Patten, Net Galley and Books Forward for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a superb historical fiction book. I just couldn't put it down,  with its brilliant and unique story line I was engrossed from the very first page. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was brilliant at creating a fantastic sense of atmosphere and tension.  I adored the narrators various accents brilliant and this added to the whole listening experience. I definitely recommend this audiobook so much. I loved the scientific aspect of this book with the inclusion of Newton's papers being vital to the French resistance. There was plenty of unexpected twists and turns in the book that had you on the edge of your seat. The characters in this book were very interesting and quirky creating a wonderful story. I felt a read connection which the main character a real strong female protagonist and found myself eagerly willing her on hoping that things will work out for her in the end. I became so engrossed in this novel I would often lose all track of time meaning there was a late night as I just had to know what would happen next.
So much praise goes to the author and publishers for bringing us such a gripping and tension fill historical fiction book that will stay with me for some time. I just can't wait to read more from this author.
The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK and my blog https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/the-measure-of-gold-by-sarah-patten-books-forward-audio-5-stars
Under either of these names ladyreading365, lady Reading365 or ladyc reading

Penelope has just lost her father when she receives a letter from her childhood friend, Naomie, encouraging her to leave Tennessee and travel to Paris. She chooses to make the perilous journey into the center of the occupied France only to learn that her friend is missing. When she arrives, she meets Naomie's eccentric brother, Fulcanelli, who's joined a group of intellectual Resistance fighters. As Peneolope learns more about the groups goals, Fulcanelli's alchemy, and what truly happened to Naomie, she discovers what it means to fight for what's right and true.

I truly love historical fiction and have a particular affinity for WWII books. Sadly, this book was not for me. I found it difficult to follow, slowly paced, and confusing at times. The technical language and mechanical dialogue made the audio version less than ideal for this book, though I did enjoy the narration by Elizabeth Cottle. I did enjoy the backstory and inclusion of Romany culture, but the link to the main plot wasn't clear in the beginning. The mystery of what happened to Naomie was intriguing, but the story kept shifting gears leaving me confused. I appreciate the espionage storyline, but the magical realism was less appealing. I did connect with the character of Penolope and was glad to see a female represented as an intelligent scientist rather than just a pretty face. The author's use of evocative language brought 1940s Paris to life, which is always enjoyable for a historical fiction lover. The suspense was palpaple at times but still not enough to make this an enjoyable read for me.

I had a lot of difficulty with this book. The best way I can describe it, is that author Sarah C. Patten, had a lot of ideas of how to approach this story, and took snapshots of different angles and forced them together without a clear, cohesive end product in mind. Just as I would become engrossed in a particular segment, Patten would switch gears and I felt lost and confused. I think I understand how the pieces were supposed to relate- it just didn't work for me. Alchemy, resistance-fighting, romance... they all seemed at odds with one another, and I found it distracting from an end focus.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I should stop trying and thinking I will like this type of historical fiction. It was fine just not for me

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This story takes place during the 1040s. Penelope leaves Sweetwater, TN after her beloved father dies when summoned to Paris by an old friend Naomi. Things are eventful from the beginning - this tale is full of action! Some major intellects and philosophers’ ideas are closely examined by the young people at the center of this novel as they work to build themselves as the world around them crumbles.

There is some alchemy involved and you have to keep an open mind if you were expecting straight historical fiction. The characters were unique and developed over the course of the novel and the words were lyrically put together. This author truly has a gift. That was made clear by the audio version. The narrator was good, creating excitement and tension and wonder. I would recommend giving this audiobook a try.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah C Patten for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Having read so many books set in world war 2 it’s a strange happy place I find myself gravitating toward when reality is a bit to real and now for my liking. This while different from any other I’ve read before did not let me down at all. The Measure of Gold is a welcome retreat from reality. It is important for me to acknowledge the beautiful lyrical style of writing the author has brought to the story, and to note that the narration it lovely also. I found myself utterly immersed in the beautiful, rich and evocative undertone of the story from beginning until the very end, savouring every moment. The author brings to life historical Paris completely. Penelope’s experience and clear command of language that carries throughout and will be the thing to keep readers going throughout the story. As Penelope travels to Paris and falls into a life brimming with war, alchemy, espionage, and love, it is the strength of her character that keeps you gripped. She makes for a bold protagonist that is bold, determined and dynamic. I found deep empathy with Penelope throughout her journey. I thoroughly enjoyed the detailed exploration of alchemy throughout and it brought magic but also reality to the novel.
I felt the ending quite abrupt, however that being said I note this is the start of a series so perhaps that’s no bad thing and therefore I’m excited to see what is to come next in this series.

A definite winner that saw me through a Covid fever. Fantastic.

I really did enjoy this story. I could have done with a different narrator to be honest but that is probably just a me thing. The storyline was really good though and it kept your attention.

It is 1940, and when Penelope receives a letter in Sweetwater, Tennessee, from her childhood friend, Naomie, to come to Paris, Penelope does, even though Germany has occupied the city and much of France. When she arrives in Paris, Penelope doesn’t find Naomi. She does, however, meets Naomie’s brother Fuccinelli, his apprentice Lucien, and a group of people trying to win the war by their knowledge and study of alchemy. Penelope had studied alchemy with her father, and she joins in their quest to defeat the Nazis while falling for Lucien. Eventually, Penelope’s war efforts lead to her being placed in a high end brothel as a maid to spy on the Nazi soldiers who frequent the place. Her time there might cost Penelope and Lucien their lives … or save them.

I really liked the magical realism in this book, that everything in the story was the same as real life, except for the existence of alchemy. In a market with a glut of World War II stories these days, this story provides a unique perspective. As a math lover, I enjoyed all the references to Newton in the book. My only complaint would be that we fast-forwarded through large chunks of time a couple of times in the book, and I would have liked more details on what happened then.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.

I was not really fond of this book, unfortunately. It felt like a mile wide and an inch thick. Several factors were interesting but didn't go further than that. The magical realism/fantasy elements of alchemy were intriguing but were ultimately sidelined for a romance that, too me, didn't feel real. The WWII historical angles were also interesting at points but also seemed a bit shallow. The mystery of Naomi was put on the backburner of the storytelling too many times and left me frustrated.

The narrator, however, did a good job with voice acting the dialogue, especially french accents.

Big thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review the book in audio form. Honestly, if I were reading the book I would not have finished it. Way to much emphasis on Newton, mathematics, chemistry and astronomy. I love historical fiction, unfortunately, this story did nothing for me, slow and uneventful.

The Measure of Gold (audible)
by Sarah C. Patten
This is an amazing book about the French resistance during the occupation of the German of World War 2. A young American scientist leaves the safety of the the American west for the warzone of France. She went to help her one single friend, and the closest person to her heart. The recent loss of her father as left her unstable and adrift. A lot of philosophic ideals of alchemy and research, mixed with spies and espionage. The love story at the heart of the story gives the characters a golden brick road of sad loneliness and loss because of the war.
The reader does a great job of adding heart into the story, bringing the philosophic ideals to easy comprehension

Measure of Gold, by Sarah Patten, is a bit of a mixed bag. It's mainly historical fiction but with plenty of science, science fiction and romance. It's probably the perfect book for anyone who's really interested in the part that alchemists and alchemy has played in history. I didn't love that Penelope's entire story was told in 2nd person. I think that's why the story never truly caught my interest.
Elizabeth Cottle does a good job narrating. She has a smooth and gentle cadence.
It's the Fall of 1940, WWII is well under way and Germany has just invaded France. Meanwhile, across the ocean, in Tennessee, young Penelope has gotten a letter of extreme importance from her long-time friend, Naomie. It's an urgent plea for her to come to Paris as soon as possible. Penelope leaves right away..
Once there, she moves in with Naomie’s brother, Fulcanelli and his apprentice, Lucien.
Soon she finds herself working for British Intelligence and sent to a French brothel to spy. There, she listens, learns, and encounters one of the most infamous murderers of World War ll.

The Alchemist and the Spy

A story set in the beginning of the invasion of France by the Nazi Germans. A young woman Penelope in Tennessee, after the death of her father receives a note from her friend Naomie in France. Penelope is not sure what it is about, but is told to bring the necklace Naomie gave her for safe keeping when they were both very young.

She arrives in France to find Naomie's brother an Alchemist working for the resistance, but Naomie has been captured by the Nazi's. Penelope works with the Alchemists for a while, falls in love with Lucien the apprentice, then she goes to England to train to be an S.O.E. operative.

This is about the war, the resistance, spying for the English S.O.E. and the Nazi's with their hate filled agenda. She soon learns to trust no one and to watch her every step.

It is about the camps where people were sent simply for disagreeing with the German's, for working with the resistance or for helping those that did. It is tragic, exciting and has a lot of historical knowledge of Alchemy which I did not understand.

This was an audio book and the narrator did a fantastic job. It was a very good story even though parts were scientifically above my head. I still loved the story.

Thanks to Sarah Patten for writing an engaging story, to Elizabeth Cottle for doing a wonderful job on the narration , to Book Forward audio books for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.